Device for transmitting optical signals

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device for transmitting optical signals between at least two components disposed for rotation.  
     The invention excels itself by the provision that at least one micro-optical component is used for beam forming or beam guidance.

DESCRIPTION

[0001] 1. Field of the invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a device for transmitting optical signals, particularly via interfaces between components mobile for rotation or translation.

[0003] In many applications with optical data transmission using optical waveguides a transmission via rotating interfaces is required, too. To this end, various appropriate single-channel transmission systems have become known from prior art. As the data rates increase the number of channels to be transmitted is increased, too. Hence the fields of application for multi-channel transmission systems have gone through a strong expansion.

[0004] When cable drums with optical waveguides in the cable are used, for example, in which data must be transmitted via the optical waveguides while the cable is reeled off or wound onto the drum, an optical multi-channel transmitter is necessary. Such cable drums are employed, for instance, in remotely operated vehicles (ROV) for movement on land or at sea (bomb deactivation drone, diving robots in offshore industry) or as sonar towed vehicles trailing behind ships for surveying the sea floor. Examples of other fields of application for multi-channel transmitters are rotatable remote prospecting and reconnaissance instruments for civil, scientific and military applications, which generate high data streams (radar, IR/visual, etc.), such as camera heads under helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), large-scale telescopes, satellites.

[0005] The on-board application in ships and aircraft requires a sturdy design (shocks and vibrations), especially as far as the adjustment stability is concerned (which is obviously easier to realise in a small number of small components than in a great number of large ones). In the case of aircraft, particularly in drone missiles, a low weight and small dimensions constitute an additional decisive criterion that is hardly satisfied by the solutions so far known.

[0006] 2. Prior Art

[0007] Numerous approaches to solutions are known for multi-channel rotary transmission. The essay by Speer and Koch “The diversity of fibre-optic rotary connectors” in: SPIE vol. 839, pp. 122-129, provides a sound survey.

[0008] The approaches to solutions can be classified as follows on principle:

[0009] Concentric fibre bundles in which the light of the respective channel to be transmitted is distributed among concentric (hollow) cylindrical optical waveguide arrays that can be rotated relative to each other at the interface.

[0010]  Such an array is described in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,027,945.

[0011]  The essential disadvantage of this array resides in the aspect that the optical waveguides require increasing diameters as farther to the outside the respective channel is located. This system can be very well realised, for example, with synthetic optical waveguides. A transmission with single-mode fibres is practically precluded because these fibres can hardly be mounted in a sufficient number with a sufficient precision as a result of their extremely small core diameter. As the fibre diameter increases, the dispersion increases as well and hence the bandwidth or data rates that can be transmitted are reduced. This system does therefore not satisfy the demands on advanced data transmission systems requiring transmission in the GBit/s range.

[0012] Coaxial imaging arrays are substantially based on the fact that a fixed (focal) point on the other side of the interface is associated with an emitting element rotating in an annular zone.

[0013]  The imaging function is implemented by means of an appropriate optical element such as a lens with different focal lengths for different annular zones (published in the laid-open German patent application DE 32 07 469 A1) or a holographic-optical element (published in the laid-open German patent application DE 197 80 642 A1).

[0014]  The disadvantage of the first solution, i.e. the situation that all receiving fibres are disposed on the optical axis (OA) and that hence shading occurs, is avoided in the holographic-optical elements (HOE). However, the production of the HOE elements is presently still expensive when high efficiency ratios are required, and, due to the smaller angles of deviation in the preferably employed binary HOE elements, large structural dimensions are involved. For single-mode fibres, HOE elements can presently be used only with high losses. Moreover, this method can be applied in a unidirectional mode only. Advanced high-speed bus systems, however, principally require a bi-directional communication.

[0015] Imaging arrays with rotation compensation.

[0016]  Here, an optical element such as a Dove prism (published in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,428,812) or a “de-rotation plate” (U.S. Pat. No. 4,258,976) rotating at precisely half the rotational speed compensates the rotation. Hence, an array of the faces of the incoming fibres is projected onto the associated respective outgoing fibres.

[0017]  The support and the drive of the de-rotating element with precisely half the rotational angular velocity, compared against the principal motion, require an expensive mechanical high-precision system. Moreover, the interposition of the de-rotating element requires long open light paths and high coupling losses involved. Specifically with the application of single-mode fibres an insufficient quality in optical transmission is achieved.

[0018] Among the transmission systems presented here, the two systems mentioned first must be ruled out for the majority of applications because they do not involve a sufficient bandwidth or because they permit only a unidirectional transmission. For this reason, the illustrated arrays with rotation compensation will preferably be discussed in the following description. Here, the nucleus consists in inverting optical elements that are rotated with half the angular velocity of the principal rotation. The light beams of the individual transmission channels may be inverted with an odd number of reflections by diffraction in a single axis only or by the shape of a pipe of optical conductors. The most important designs of an inverting optical element for these purposes, which are mentioned in literature, are as follows:

[0019] Dove prism

[0020] delta prism

[0021] Schmidt-Pechan prism

[0022] centrally mirrored sphere

[0023] inverting optical-fibre bundle (de-rotation plate)

[0024] axially mirrored gradient rod lens (slab lens).

[0025] The considerations of the optical systems, which are set forth in this document, are not only applicable to systems rotating relative to each other but also to systems displaceable along an axis. In linearly displaceable systems, a de-rotating element is, of course, not necessary.

[0026] The optical systems used for coupling and decoupling take a decisive influence on the quality of the transmission systems described here. Various designs of these optical systems in correspondence with prior art, specifically those envisaged for the application of the third transmission technology operating on de-rotating elements, will be explained below. Even though the discussion will focus on exemplary glass fibres these considerations apply, by way of analogy, to other forms of optical waveguides as well, such as synthetic light-conducting fibres, or to active components such as transmitters or receivers. The U.S. Pat. No. 4,725,116 discloses a modular multi-channel transmission system. There, each channel is transmitted by means of a separate mirror. The mechanical complexity of this system is substantial because a separate optical system and a corresponding precise supporting system are required for each mirror. Apart therefrom, the length of the optical paths increases as the number of channels is increasing, which, in its turn, means an impairment of the optical characteristics. Moreover, attenuation peaks occur at those sites where the feeding fibres pass the optical path. Furthermore, the overall length and the weight increase in proportion to the number of channels. As a consequence, the unit grows to a size that is unacceptable for many applications with a small number of channels already. The U.S. Pat. No. 4,872,737 discloses a multi-channel transmitter operating on the basis of a Dove prism. Beam coupling or decoupling is performed by means of several separate collimators. These collimators must be adjusted individually. A precise adjustment requires a comparatively long mechanical lever or a fine thread that requires additional space, too. As a result, the area to be projected, i.e. the entire surface projected via the de-rotating system, increases as the number of channels and the precision in adjustment are increasing. Therefore, a larger optical system is necessary which, in its turn, displays a higher optical attenuation as a result of the longer paths and, at the same time, involves higher demands on the precision in adjustment. For this reason, the enlargement of a mechanical lever in such a solution, for example, for an increase of the precision in adjustment does not result in an improvement. As the number of channels increases, rather improved adjustment systems must be found which involve a higher precision in adjustment at the same space requirement. Here the rhomboid prism mirrors for beam deviation or parallel beam shift, which are equally proposed in that patent specification, offer one possible solution. Even though the application of a larger-size de-rotation system is therefore avoided the additional optical path and the additional surfaces entail an impairment of the optical transmission. The additional components increase the system costs.

[0027] An extremely flexible adjustment without a strong enlargement of the area to be projected is proposed in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,157,745. The adjustment of the individual channels is performed here by means of correction lenses disposed for displacement in a direction orthogonal on the optical path, which can be used, via adjustment, to achieve the high precision required for single-mode transmission. The solution is very complex and expensive because a high number of components must be subjected to a troublesome time-consuming adjustment process. The additional adjustment components render the transmission system bulky, heavy and expensive. This system is certainly well suitable for stationary applications such as those in radar installations, but in mobile applications, which involve the occurrence of shocks and vibrations, the optical system will become misaligned very soon. Apart therefrom, due to the high number of air/glass transitions a worse quality in transmission will be achieved than in comparable systems without such transitions.

[0028] In an approach to avoid the aforedescribed disadvantages according to the U.S. Pat. No. 5,442,721, a bundle of conventional collimators is mounted as a complete unit into the transmitter. As a consequence, only a single adjustment of the entire collimator bundle is still required. A substantial disadvantage of such bundling resides, however, in the fact that the rather substantial tolerances of the individual collimators cannot be compensated. The individual collimators as such are composed of fibre mounts and lens systems that are fixedly interconnected in a ferrule. The mounting precision of these collimators is limited and, as a rule, does not satisfy the demands on a rotary transmitter system. Such an approach, in which individual adjustment of the collimators is no longer possible, is therefore not applicable specifically in a single-mode transmission system.

[0029] All the aforedescribed solutions involve the disadvantage that a sufficient optical precision cannot be achieved on account of lack of adjustment potentials or that adjustment is highly complex and unreliable in continuous operation. Moreover, none of the aforedescribed solutions permits the realisation of high channel numbers with more than 5 to 10 channels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] The invention is based on the problem of proposing an optical transmission system for rotary or translational movements, which does no longer present the aforementioned disadvantages and which can be realised with high numbers of channels at a high quality in transmission at low costs in particular.

[0031] One inventive solution to this problem is defined in Patent claim 1. Improvements of the invention are the subject matters of the dependent claims.

[0032] All the solutions in correspondence with prior art attempt to realise a high accuracy at a high quality in transmission by a proper adjustment, or, on the other hand, a simple adjustment at a low quality in transmission.

[0033] The inventive device combines a high precision and hence a high quality in transmission with simple adjustment.

[0034] This is achieved by the structure of the optical components as a micro-optical system. A micro-optical system is produced from one piece by means of uniform processes. Hence, a micro-optical component is a multi-functional device in which the different sub-functions are created precisely with such a uniform process. Examples of the integration of several functions are lens arrays with many lenses, for instance, or also combinations of lenses and mechanical fibre mounts. Examples of the processes and manufacturing technologies suitable to this end are Liga, laser writing, and the like. They are frequently adopted from semiconductor technology or micro-system technology or are related to these processes, respectively. Hence, several partial components or functional parts can be manufactured in one process at a maximum of accuracy.

[0035] The use of a micro-optical system is particularly based on the finding that, on the one hand, the addition of tolerances can only be prevented by a uniform overall process and that, on the other hand, a reduction of the area to be projected reduces the optical paths and that hence the sensitivity to tolerances can be lowered.

[0036] In the transmission systems corresponding to prior art, the optical components are separately produced by means of conventional optical manufacturing processes such as grinding and polishing of individual lenses. The lenses so produced are then composed, for instance, together with the glass fibres in a ferrule to form a collimator. In such a conventional manufacturing technology, the tolerances of all the individual process steps are added. These may be contour aberrations and dimensional tolerances of the lenses, positional errors of the lenses in the collimators, positional tolerances of the glass fibre relative to the lens, tolerances of the ferrule, and positional tolerances of the ferrule in the transmitter.

[0037] In an inventive embodiment, by contrast, many tolerances are precisely defined and reproducible already by the process specifications. For example, the distance between the individual optical systems are invariably predetermined with minimum tolerances in a lithographic process. A subsequent assembly or adjustment does not change anything in this situation. Certain process-dependent aberrations and tolerances, which can never be completely eliminated even though they can be minimised, are constant throughout the entire arrangement. For instance, a strabismus of the optical system, which is caused by the arrangement of the glass fibre with a shift to the lens, will be equal in all optical systems and can hence be compensated by a simple adjustment of the overall system. With individually manufactured components, by contrast, this strabismus exists in different degrees in different directions and can therefore be compensated only by individual adjustment.

[0038] With the inventive configuration as micro-optical system it is possible to reduce the area of the overall system, which is to be projected, mostly by more than one order. Hence, the cross-sectional area and also the length of the de-rotating element can be reduced correspondingly. As a consequence, therefore shorter optical paths are formed and hence higher qualities in transmission as well as lower sensitivity to mechanical tolerances are achieved.

[0039] In conclusion, the advantages of the inventive device can be summarised as follows:

[0040] The micro technology permits the manufacture of these components with a precision that would not be possible in the case of an assembly of separate elements. The addition of individual manufacturing tolerances can be prevented. The distances between the structural elements are predetermined with minimum tolerances.

[0041] Due to the high positioning accuracy in micro technology it is possible to produce the outside contours of the components with centric fits so that the position relative to the axis of rotation need no longer be adjusted by the time of integration into the overall system.

[0042] Due to the smaller number of separate optical elements to be adjusted (and hence a smaller number of setting screws, adjusting flanges), the manufacturing costs are reduced whilst the reliability is increased.

[0043] With the (quasi) monolithic structure of the optical systems on the input and output sides, complex and expensive adjustment operations on the individual channels are omitted or they can be considered within the scope of the manufacture of the components.

[0044] The distinctly smaller shape permits the use of less expensive mechanical parts, e.g. de-rotating element, bearings, gearings, or savings in costs, respectively.

[0045] As a result, also an overall system with substantially smaller dimensions is achieved. This opens up a great number of new applications.

[0046] The flexible manufacturing methods in micro technology permit easy adaptation to the required number of channels or the optical quality of the channels.

[0047] In the case of high-bit rate systems of the future, which are operated in the range of light wavelengths above 1,300 nm, silicon components can be used which are excellently suitable for micro structuring and display very good optical properties on account of the high refractive index.

[0048] Due to the generally reduced dimensions, the required free light path is shorter and along with this measure the losses in transmission are smaller.

[0049] It is also possible, of course, to combine conventional manufacturing techniques with the inventive technology to create a transmission system. According to the invention, some channels for wide-band data transmission can be realised in micro system technology, for example, while additional channels involving lower demands, may be manufactured with synthetic light-conducting fibres in a conventional process.

[0050] It is equally conceivable to use micro-optical components on one side of the transmission system and conventional components on the other side. The optical components described here can also be employed for signal transmission between stationary components, e.g. in plugs, without any problems.

[0051] In a particularly expedient embodiment of the invention, the beam-guiding or beam-shaping elements include at least one active or passive optical element. This embodiment hence permits not only an indirect beam conduction or shaping, e.g. as mount for a light-conducting fibre to be guided, but also a direct conduction, e.g. through micro lenses. A combined embodiment with means for indirect and direct beam conduction or shaping is particularly expedient. Specifically the combination of a mount of the light-conducting fibres, which may be realised as spline system, with micro lenses disposed in the optical path downstream of the fibre ends for collimation or focussing is suitable to implement, in an ideal manner, all the optical functions of an inventive transmission system in a single device. One piece of this device is provided on each mobile unit. Likewise, this function can be performed with an active element such as a laser diode with a lens disposed behind it. Active systems with micro-mechanical actuators can also be used.

[0052] The following special embodiments can be realised here without any problems:

[0053] Lens array: several lenses are applied on a support (e.g. conventional refractive, diffractive structures produced as Fresnel structures with manufacturing processes such as etching or stamping, which are common micro technology) which shape and deflect the radiation as desired, e.g. by collimation or focussing.

[0054] High-precision fibre lens array block made of one piece (quasi monolithic): the splines are machined in a silicon piece, like the lens elements associated with the splines.

[0055] In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the passive optical element may be an individual lens, for example. This may be expediently integrated by means for fastening the light-conducting fibres so as to form a single complete micro-optical collimator, for instance. Such micro assemblies can then be disposed in succession by means of micro-mechanical high-precision fits in any number whatsoever.

[0056] It is equally possible that the passive optical element consists of a lens array. This lens array may comprise a one-dimensional, preferably linear, array. Two-dimensional arrays of the lenses are very expedient because they save space. For example, they may be disposed in a circular or square matrix or even with a lateral shift relative to each other. Three-dimensional arrays can also be realised with substantial advantage. Moreover, passive optical elements like guides for optical waveguides, especially light-conducting fibres, may be provided as well. These may equally have a one-, two- or three-dimensional configuration.

[0057] Another expedient embodiment of the invention is provided with integrated active optical elements. These may be light-emitting diodes, laser diodes or even photo diodes, for example.

[0058] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the active or passive elements are equally produced from one piece. For example, the monolithic combination of a laser diode with a lens or a fibre mount is of particular interest because in such a case all the important functions are integrated into a single unit.

[0059] Another expedient embodiment of the invention comprises beam-guiding or beam-shaping elements such as lenses that are manufactured in one piece together with guides of the coupling or decoupling components.

[0060] A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides for the integration of beam-guiding and beam-shaping optical elements in a first structure. The coupling or decoupling elements are integrated into a second structure, with both structures being precisely aligned to each other via a positive locking element.

[0061] A lens array with a high-precision pitch (distance between the lenses) is fixedly mounted on an array formed of fibres, receivers or transmitters while the alignment is achieved either by means of a positive locking provision, e.g. via an optical flat as spacer (the thickness of the lens support can be tuned immediately with the focal length of the flat) and guiding fibre grooves for positioning or with a positive locking means realised in another form (cf. U.S. Pat. No. 5,446,815).

[0062] In another expedient embodiment of the invention, beam-guiding and beam-shaping optical elements are integrated into a first structure. The coupling or decoupling elements are integrated into a second structure, with the possibility to align both structures relative to each other and to fix then later on. In this manner, for example, the coupling or decoupling components are positioned with a match with the lenses, or vice versa. Hence, a reciprocal specification of the positions is envisaged in manufacture. To this end, various alternatives are available:

[0063] The individual fibres are disposed individually behind the lens array and then fastened there by an adhesive (this adjustment aspect is also discussed in numerous patents, specifically in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,559,915);

[0064] The exposure determines the position of the fibres: By way of alignment through the focal point of the associated lens, the fibre guide is drilled individually for the fibres, e.g. by micro-processing techniques operating on an Excimer laser (the illumination of the lens arrays with a parallel beam generates focal points in an ideal positioning relative to the lenses, as far as the mutual positioning is concerned);

[0065] The exposure determines the position of the lenses: An etching mask for the lenses is exposed through the fibres of a fibre array so that the etching masks for the lenses will be created at the suitable positions;

[0066] The fibres are correctly positioned in an optimum manner by means of micromechanical actuator elements—active adjustment (e.g. “Cronos 3D Fiber Aligner”). This is carried out either once with subsequent fixing or continuously in the event of high demands on the rotary modulation.

[0067] According to another expedient embodiment of the invention, beam-guiding and beam-shaping optical elements are integrated in a first structure. The coupling or decoupling elements, respectively, are integrated in a second structure, with both structures being continuously adjustable relative to each other. With this provision it is possible in particular to compensate continuous or even periodic variations. This form of adjustment may be implemented, for instance, by means of a micro-mechanical actuator that shifts the arrays relative to each other, for example, or also by means of a macro-mechanical actuator element such as a piezo ceramic element, for instance.

[0068] According to a further expedient embodiment of the invention, beam-guiding and beam-shaping optical elements are integrated in a first structure. The coupling or decoupling elements, respectively, are integrated into a second structure, with one structure being adapted to the other one in manufacture. Hence, first one of the structures is produced and then the second structure is produced with a match with the first one in such a way that the tolerances will be at a minimum.

[0069] In another expedient embodiment of the invention, beam-guiding and beam-shaping optical elements are integrated in a first structure. The coupling or decoupling elements, respectively, are integrated into a second structure. Here, both structures are configured as one- or multi-dimensional arrays corresponding to each other.

[0070] Due to the arrangement in arrays a perfect mutual adjustment of the coupling or decoupling elements, respectively, and the lenses along three axes for all channels (2-n) will be ensured:

[0071] spacing of the arrays

[0072] focal position of the lenses

[0073] beam-shaping, alignment in both arrays along the two axes orthogonal on the optical axis

[0074] parallelism of the optical axes of the individual beams relative to the mechanical axis of rotation or relative to each other in the case of individual positioning

[0075] orientation of the beam.

[0076] For a precise adjustment it is only necessary to adjust the complete second array. According to an alternative, one of these arrays is provided with individual actuator elements on its components for adaptation of the position of the components to the corresponding component of the other structure.

[0077] In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the beam-guiding or beam-shaping optical element is a photoactive medium. This medium is so designed that the projecting properties of the lenses adjust themselves appropriately in response to the irradiation through the coupling or decoupling elements.

[0078] According to a further particularly expedient embodiment of the invention, a de-rotating system is provided when at least one channel is to be transmitted outside the axis.

[0079] An advantageous improvement of the invention consists in the provision that an active optical element is used as de-rotating system. This element is so designed that it creates the de-rotation by a change of its optical characteristics and need hence not be mechanically moved with the rotation.

[0080] Such an improvement of the invention presents the advantage that the omitted additional bearing and gearing components permit further savings in space and weight and that possibly even adjustment problems can be eliminated due to the adaptability of the optical element.

[0081] In another expedient embodiment of the invention, a photoactive medium is used as active optical element for de-rotation. The de-rotation is hence realised under control by the incident light. In a photoactive material, the projecting properties set themselves automatically in correspondence with the radiation from the coupling and decoupling elements. The “precision” is here achieved rather by means of a self-adapting system that is also insensitive to misalignment. The de-rotating system is implemented in the form of a photoactive crystal whose optical properties are changed in response to the irradiation with the optical signals to be transmitted. When these signals are superimposed a refractive index gradient is formed in the crystal (change of the refractive indices in response to irradiation), which ensures that the light of all coupled channels can also be coupled over into the receiving channels in an optimum manner. As this effect between the fibres determines the signal as such, i.e. the projection change in the crystal, changes in terms of position and direction of the individual channels do not result in an impairment of the quality in transmission but only in an adaptation of the projecting properties of the crystal—which means that the system re-adjusts itself continuously. For this reason, the rotation of the transmitting side, for instance, relative to the receiving side, does not play a role while the photoactive element need not follow this rotation. This solution is particularly expedient because any further control signals need not be supplied from the outside; in other words, this system is completely passive. Such a “neuronal optical system” has been published in “Efficient Self-Aligning Multi-Beam Coupling into a Single-Mode Fibre”, Journal of Lightwave Technology, vol. 13, No. 1, January 1995.

[0082] This technology would also permit the realisation of the beam shaping, direction-determining and the optical de-rotation functions with a single optical element between the input and output components.

[0083] According to a further embodiment of the invention, an acousto-optic Dove prism is used as active optical element for de-rotation. The projecting properties of an inverting element such as a Dove prism are replaced by two acousto-optic beam deflectors and a cylindrical concave mirror therebetween. This element is then stationary and the rotation of the light beams is induced by the application of periodically varying light beams. Such a deflector system has been published in “Ultrafast Non-mechanical Image Rotation Using an Acousto-optic Dove Prism (AODP)” in: Optics and Photonics News/December 97.

[0084] A further embodiment of the invention provides for a passive optical element as de-rotating system. This element performs the de-rotation by means of its optical projecting function and need therefore not be rotated along with the principal movement.

[0085] In another embodiment of the invention, a passive optical element is used as de-rotating system, which is inverting. For this reason, this element must be rotated at half the angular velocity of the principal rotation.

[0086] The inverting optical element of the de-rotating system (in one of the known designs such as the Dove prism, the inverting optical-fibre pipe, etc.) may be “actively adjusted” in the case of low demands on low variations in attenuation, both once with subsequent fixing and continuously during operation. This may be performed by means of highly sensitive actuator elements such as piezo actuators that are re-controlled in the case of continuous adjustment via a control loop.

[0087] As on account of mechanical tolerances in the manufacture of an inverting optical element (e.g. the angular precision of the diffracting flanks in the Dove prism or the inaccuracies created in the Schmidt-Pechan prism by the cementing of two components) or on account of the adjustment of the optical axis of the inverting element relative to the axis of rotation, which cannot be achieved optionally with good results, tumbling movements of the focal point may occur—even in the case of fibre/lens arrays with ideal adjustment relative to the axis of rotation—unacceptable variations in attenuation would occur for some applications. A more stable signal could also be achieved via the rotation (smallest variation of attenuation possible) by means of an actively supported inverting optical element. In addition to the mechanical rough adjustment, the element would be mounted on both sides (on the rotor and stator sides) with at least one piezo actuator element and an associated opposite support in order to be able to set the optical axis of the prism with such a high sensitivity that it will coincide with the mechanical axis of rotation of the element or of the rotating fibre/lens array, respectively.

[0088] The piezo actuator element first of all entails the advantage that it permits much higher sensitivity in the movements than adjusting screws. It could hence be possible to align the actual optical axis of the prism once to the axis of rotation and fix it in this position. When the variations in attenuation are still too wide for a particularly demanding application the adjustment could be continuously controlled in an adaptive manner also during the rotation so that then effects such as residual bearing play, gearing play or minute residual misalignment of the fibre/lens array could be corrected. The piezo actuator elements are then controlled via a control loop in such a way that the fibres in the array are always hit by the focal points of the lenses to a maximum extent.

[0089] Compared against the adjustment of individual fibres, this variant presents the advantage that only a small number of actuator elements is required, that these elements may be manufactured with larger dimensions and that only one channel must be interrogated for the control loop, rather than each channel individually. Moreover, a separate channel, through which further information is not transmitted, may be used exclusively for control purposes.

[0090] The size of the inverting optical element of the de-rotating system can be slightly shorted or simplified, as far as the manufacture in large quantities is concerned, by replacing the refractive surfaces of a prism or a lens by Fresnel structures or diffractive structures, respectively. An illustration of such a system has been published in “A New Type of Lens with Binary Subwavelength Structures”, in: Optics and Photonics News, December 1997.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0091] The invention will be described in the following by exemplary embodiments, without any restriction of the general inventive idea and with reference to the drawings.

[0092] In the drawing:

[0093]FIG. 1 illustrates a general embodiment of the invention,

[0094]FIG. 2 shows a monolithic collimator block,

[0095]FIG. 3 is a view of the structure of a monolithic collimator block,

[0096]FIG. 4 illustrates the array positioning operation by means of positive locking connection,

[0097]FIG. 5 shows a fibre mount with positioning elements, and

[0098]FIG. 6 is a view of a two-dimensional array.

[0099]FIG. 1 illustrates a general embodiment of the invention, in which, by way of example, a first collimator block (1 a) and a second collimator block (1 b) with a de-rotating element (12) disposed therebetween are arranged for rotation about an axis of rotation (14). The light-conducting fibres (3 a, 3 b) were guided in the respective collimator blocks that are designed as micro-optical components. Appropriately integrated lens systems are used to create parallel light pencils (13 a, 13 b). The latter are than projected by means of the de-rotating element (12) onto the respectively other collimator block.

[0100]FIG. 2 is an exemplary illustration of a monolithic collimator block (1). The lenses (2) as well as the mounts receiving the fibres (3)—which are not shown in the drawing are integrated into this block. The fibres are fastened, i.e. mechanically fixed, by means of a clamping block (4) in the positions predetermined by the fibre mounts.

[0101]FIG. 3 illustrates an opened collimator block (1) according to FIG. 2, seen from the rear side. Here, the fibre mount is designed in a bipartite form. For example, a first V-shaped groove (18) is provided in the collimator block directly, which corresponds to a second groove (19) in the clamping block. The fibre (3) is held between these two grooves.

[0102]FIG. 4 shows a modified embodiment of a micro-optical collimator system. In that design, a first groove (8) in the lens array and a second groove (7) in the fibre array are provided for the precise positioning between a lens array (5) that includes the individual integrated lenses (2) and the fibre array (6) that comprises guiding grooves (11) for the fibres. A dowel pin or even an appropriate fibre, for example, is inserted into the opening for mounting.

[0103]FIG. 5 shows an arrangement in which the fibre mounts (9) with associated positioning elements are provided for precise positioning of the fibres (3). Such positioning elements may be micro-motors, fibre aligners and other means.

[0104] Eventually, FIG. 6 illustrates an array including a fibre array support (10) composed of guiding groove plates stacked one on top of the other in a sandwich manner. The individual guiding grooves (11) are preferably V-shaped or may also be designed in U-shape. 

1. Device for the transmission of optical signals between at least two parts mobile in rotation or translation relative to each other during signal transmission, with beam-guiding or beam-shaping elements being provided on each of these parts, characterised in that at least one of these elements is configured as micro-optical component.
 2. Device according to claim 1, characterised in that said beam-guiding or beam-shaping elements contain at least one active or passive optical element.
 3. The device according to claim 2, characterised in that said passive optical element comprises a separate lens, a lens array or a guide for optical waveguides and particularly light-guiding fibres.
 4. The device according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that said active element comprises a transmitter or receiver, respectively, such as a laser diode or a photo diode.
 5. Device according to any of the preceding Claims, characterised in that said active or passive elements are equally machined out of one piece.
 6. Device according to any of the preceding Claims, characterised in that said beam-guiding or beam-shaping elements, together with guides for the coupling or decoupling components, are manufactured of one piece.
 7. Device according to any of the preceding Claims, characterised in that said beam-guiding or beam-shaping optical element and said coupling or decoupling components are two separate structures that are precisely aligned relative to each other via a positive locking element.
 8. Device according to any of the preceding Claims, characterised in that said beam-guiding or beam-shaping optical element and the coupling or decoupling components are two separate structures that are adjusted relative to each other and then fixed in this position.
 9. Device according to any of the preceding Claims, characterised in that said beam-guiding or beam-shaping optical element and the coupling or decoupling components are two separate structures that are continuously adjusted relative to each other.
 10. Device according to any of the preceding Claims, characterised in that said beam-guiding or beam-shaping optical element and said coupling or decoupling components are two separate structures whereof one is matched with the other one in production.
 11. Device according to any of the preceding Claims, characterised in that said beam-guiding or beam-shaping optical element and said coupling or decoupling components are two separate structures (arrays) whereof one is continuously matched with the other one in operation, which means that the position of the coupling or decoupling elements, for instance, is individually optimised for each element.
 12. Device according to any of the preceding Claims, characterised in that said beam-guiding or beam-shaping optical element is a photoactive medium in which the projecting properties of a lens array appropriately form themselves due to the irradiation through the coupling or decoupling elements, respectively.
 13. Device according to any of the preceding Claims, characterised in that a de-rotating optical system is provided when at least one channel is to be transmitted outside the axis.
 14. Device according to any of the preceding Claims, characterised in that an active optical element serves as de-rotating system, which generates the de-rotation by the change of its optical characteristics and need not be rotated as well.
 15. Device according to any of the preceding Claims, characterised in that a photoactive medium is provided as active optical element for de-rotation.
 16. Device according to any of the preceding Claims, characterised in that an acousto-optic Dove prism is provided as active optical element for de-rotation.
 17. Device according to any of the preceding Claims, characterised in that a passive optical element is provided as de-rotating system, which performs the de-rotation by means of its optical projection function and need not be rotated as well.
 18. Device according to any of the preceding Claims, characterised in that a passive optical element is used as de-rotating system, which is inverting and which is rotated as well at half the angular velocity. 